And You Thought ESPN Came Full Circle...

The key to the Giants season thus far does not don an orange and black uniform; he actually plays for a cross-state division rival: the San Diego Padres. Terrmel Sledge has bookended what may be the one of the most improbable turnarounds of the season. Sledge has two homers this year, the first coming off Our-mando on July 23rd that tied the game, one the Giants eventually lost in 11. What happened next? The Giants lost 16 of 19 and slid from the top of the NL West to its cobwebbed, moldy, somewhat hellish cellar: representing (statistically) the worst team in the worst division in the worst league in the majors.

Yesterday Sledge hit his second homer of the season, a two-run shot off of Schmidt in the 7th. This time his round-tripper came in a win (also in the 11th) for the major's hottest team. Yes, the Giants are 18-7 in their last 25 games, better than any other team (even the scorching A's...but if a baseball game happens and nobody is there to see it, does it count?).

A lot has changed since late July: the bullpen can slam the door (even if it sometimes takes five to push the door and one to put the latch on), Bonds has regained some strength in his legs and is even poking balls out of the park when he is out in front, and the team seems to have more starting pitchers than spots to put them.

By the way, in addition to picking up pointers from Matt Morris, Matt Cain must be sipping some hardcore pickle juice because his numbers are off the charts.

Final game is on ESPN tonight (as if there wasn't enough to watch today). Stay tuned for today's YouTube clip also.